Before You Start Your Project

1. Know What You Want

Knowing what you want and having a plan will help you save time and money, because anything that takes your contractor time will also cost you more money—and slow your project's progress. One of the best ways to keep your project on course is to start with a solid idea of what you want.

Carl suggests clients start by making note of trim styles, wood, and features that you like. Look through Pinterest and pay attention to what you like and why it appeals to you. And don't just make a mental note. Snap a picture on your cell phone, save a link to text or email to your contractor, or even work up a preliminary drawing yourself.

“If you can give me something to go by, or sketch me something you’re wanting to build, that will save me time,” Carl said.

While a little on-the-fly experimentation might be necessary sometimes, it's costly and time-consuming to test out a lot of new ideas while work is underway. It also can cause delay and material wastage, a particular concern today as prices fluctuate for commodities like lumber, especially for trim materials like oak and the highly versatile poplar. So going into your project with a strong idea of exactly what you want, and communicating that clearly to your trim specialist, will help a contractor make your budget work. 

 

2. Research Your Options

As part of your project planning, consult with your trim specialist about the kind of material best suited to your purpose. For example, for baseboards MDF might be a tempting choice because it's relatively low cost. But it's not necessarily the best choice in the long run, because it's very soluble: when it gets wet, it deteriorates, whereas a solid wood will not. Talk to your trim specialist ahead of time about different material options and where and how to use them. 

Also consider how the new addition will fit into the rest of the house. Your new trim's location or use might allow for less expensive options. For example, if you’re going to paint wood trim, you might want to consider an economical wood like yellow pine, because the grain will be hidden under the paint. If you intend to stain the trim, the grain becomes more important, so you'll want to consider cherry, poplar, or mahogany—all special woods that most people use for stain.

When considering paint versus stain, start by thinking about the trim in the rest of the house. Are other trims painted or stained? If you want paint, you’ll need to decide on the color, type of paint, and finish (shiny or matte) that you prefer. If you'd rather stain the wood, do you have a color of stain that you prefer?

There typically isn't much difference in cost between staining and painting, but staining can take longer because it requires time for drying, sanding, and multiple finish coats. 

3. Have the Materials and Location Ready

To make the job faster and smoother, Carl recommends having all materials on hand at the job site before work begins. Will your contractor be able to store materials in your garage? On-site storage can be helpful, especially in bad weather. Assess parking, loading/unloading zones, and the location of exterior and interior electrical outlets, too, so your trim specialist can plan logistics ahead of time.

Before work starts, clear space around the project area and make sure there's a roomy path between the job site and any doorway to allow work to progress unimpeded.

​

4. Set a Realistic Timeline

How long will your project take? The size, scope, and site of the project obviously makes a difference. A mantel might take a few days to a week to build, and a coffered ceiling might take longer. If possible, when considering your timeline, factor in enough time for the contractor to acquire the materials needed for your project. Remember that special-order items or those ordered during a supply or commodity shortage might take longer than usual.

Painting may add 2-3 days to a project, and staining can take a little longer because the wood must be stained, then dry and be sanded before another coat of finish is added—and stain can take 2-3 finish coats. 

Some projects also have to mesh your contractor's schedule with electricians' and plumbers' timetables, so be sure to account for that when you sketch out a timeline with your contractor.

​

5. Research Your Trim Specialist

When you consider a trim specialist, be sure to ask about their work experience, both in terms of years and in terms of the specific type of work they've done. Make sure their skills and experience match your project's requirements. Have they done mantels? If they've done crown moulding, how many kinds do they have experience with?

If possible, check out samples of their work, too. In trim carpentry, how good are they at putting all their joints together? Is the wood cut tightly with no gaps and with nice, neat cuts? Is it well finished? 

Beyond the details of their trim work, you might also want to consider other aspects of their work, if you have the opportunity to meet them at a job site. How neat do they keep their job site? Is it clean or disorderly? Are materials thrown everywhere? It's not unusual or unexpected for a job site be messy from time to time, but chronic clutter can be an indication about how they approach their work.

Do ask for references and check them out. Ask their clients basic questions as whether the contractor was regularly on time, whether they communicate readily, and whether they stick to appointments by phone or in person. It can be important to ask questions about "soft skills," too: are they approachable? Do they get along with people? Did you feel comfortable around them in your house?

Finally, a trim specialist's clients might also be able to text you photos of the contractor's work.

Doing your research and then meeting a trim specialist yourself to talk about your project should give you a good feel for whether you're a good fit together. That sense of partnership is crucial, because together you'll be helping to turn your dream for your home into a reality.